Central Illinois Rotary district hosts cultural exchange with India

Rotary International members from India have been staying with Bloomington-Normal Rotary host families this past week, as part of a monthlong cultural exchange. This time last year, their Illinois counterparts were in India. The exchanges give insight into differences between societies, and what we can learn from each other and...

Antoine West Hits Step-Back Three As Time Expires, Extending Purdue's Lead Over Illinois State

Here are the Peoria-area girls swimming and diving IHSA state qualifiers for 2026

Washington and Galesburg each won an Illinois High School Association girls swimming and diving sectional title on Saturday, Nov. 7, sending a combined 15 events to the state finals. The state meet is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14 at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont. The Panthers won the Normal Community Sectional, while Galesburg swam to the Pekin Sectional championship. Overall, six relays and 11 individuals from the Peoria area advance to the state finals. Here are the Peoria-area state qualifiers for 2026: 2026 Peoria-area girls swimming and diving IHSA state qualifiers 200-yard medley relay — Galesburg (Camdyn Miller, soph.; Faith Warren, jr., Macie Nelson, sr., Addie Good, fr.) 1:48.68; LaSalle-Peru (Samantha Nauman, sr.; Anna Weitl, sr.; Finley Jobst, sr.; Dawsynn Kettman, soph.) 1:52.52. 200-yard freestyle relay — Galesburg (Macie Nelson, sr.; Addie Good, fr.; Camdyn Miller, soph.; Faith Warren, jr.) 1:39.33; Washington (Eleanor Bush, soph.; Nika Happel, sr.; Maya Happel, sr.; Jenna Kozinski, sr.) 1:39.50. 400-yard freestyle relay — Washington (Eleanor Bush, soph.; Nika Happel, sr.; Maya Happel, sr.; Jenna Kozinski, sr.) 3:39.68; Peoria Notre Dame (Kamryn Gardiner, soph.; Gabi Murphy, sr.; Kate Fitzjarrald, jr.; Eileen Hamilton, soph.) 3:46.52. 200-yard freestyle — Ava Peplowski (Metamora, sr.)

IHSA Football Round Two Recap

NORMAL, Ill. — Only two teams in the Bloomington-Normal area remain standing in the IHSA State Playoffs. Normal West and Normal Community looked to continue their class 6A and 7A state championship hopes alive in round two. Normal Community came out on top in a nail bitting win against...

IHSA football: Metamora ousted from Class 4A playoffs by Sacred Heart-Griffin

SPRINGFIELD — Sacred Heart-Griffin's Mikey Groesch couldn't have dreamed up a better 18 th birthday. The senior running back supplied four touchdowns in a 54-21 win over Metamora in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs at Ken Leonard Field on Saturday, Nov. 7. The No. 4 seeded Cyclones (10-1) will visit top-seeded Centralia (11-0) in their second straight quarterfinals appearance. The Orphans defeated No. 8 Mount Zion 34-14. "It's probably my last time playing here and I can't spend my 18 th birthday any better than coming out here and getting a win with my friends at Ken Leonard Field just having a good time," Groesch said. SHG prompted a running clock by the end of the third quarter after seven straight touchdown drives. Groesch ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, in addition to four catches for 62 yards and two scores. Senior quarterback Cam Brinkman generated a 93-yard TD run in the third quarter and totaled 153 rushing yards and two scores on 11 carries. He also completed 11-of-13 passing attempts for 147 yards and three TDs. "Our coaching staff's awesome," Groesch said. "They put us in a great position to succeed and

Morton Football advances to Quarterfinals with win over Triad

Morton, IL – The Morton High School football team moves on to the IHSA Class 5A quarterfinals with a 56-15 victory over Triad at Carper Field on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Both teams entered the second round of the playoffs with identical 9-1 records, but Morton quickly established control of the game. On the opening kickoff, Keenan Smith received the ball at the goal line and returned it for a touchdown. Brody Watson added the two-point conversion, giving Morton an 8-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game.

Eureka girls, Elmwood boys saved their best for the final cross country race of season

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — The formula was the same. The Eureka girls and Elmwood boys cross country teams won state championships Saturday and their coaches had similar feeling about teams’ effort. Eureka was hoping to peak at the state cross country meet at Detweiller Park. And the Hornets did, winning the girls class 1A title […]

Prep sports recap for Nov. 9, 2026: volleyball supersectionals

PEORIA, Ill (WMBD/WYZZ) — Two area high schools are headed to the state volleyball tournament this weekend. Illinis Bluffs (class 1A) and Tri-Valley (2A) were impressive winners in supersectionals Monday and punched their ticket to the state finals at CEFCU Arena in Normal this weekend. Washington and Normal West were both eliminated from the class […]

ISU heads to Purdue Monday, Bradley hits road too

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — A week into the season, Illinois State gets a Big Ten test. The Redbirds (1-1) travel to Purdue for a non-conference game Monday night. ISU is 0-8 all-time against the Boilermakers and has not played them since 2001. Bradley is heading out Monday as well. The Braves embark on their first […]

40 years ago: the final home game for Wichita State football

Explore the final Wichita State football home game at Cessna Stadium 40 years ago, a 17-10 loss to Illinois State. Relive Shocker history.

Future Teacher Conference

Last Friday, at the Bone Student Center, students got the opportunity to visit Illinois State University to look into the world of education and what it is going to take shape in the next generation in the classroom. During a full day of activities, students from all over the state got to network, learn about teaching, and the education program at ISU.

ISU campus community celebrates first-generation students and others who are 'their own opportunity'

First-generation students at Illinois State University were celebrated Sunday at an event to mark National First-Generation College Day. TRIO Student Support Services [SSS] at ISU hosted the event at the Bone Student Center. The day is celebrated annually to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which laid the foundation for federal financial aid programs, including TRIO programs.

Ava Peplowski capping Metamora family’s 13-year run to state swim meet

METAMORA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Four Peplowski sisters have had quite a run to the state swim meet down through the years. Metamora senior Ava Peplowski is heading to state this weekend after winning the 200 freestyle at the Normal Community sectional on Saturday. She’ll cap a 13-year run of Peplowski girls qualifying for the state […]

Redbirds Set to Face Salukis in MVC Tournament Semifinal on Thursday

No. 3-seeded Illinois State soccer travels to Carbondale, Illinois, for a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinal matchup against No. 2-seeded Southern Illinois on Thursday at 3 p.m. CT at Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex. The match will be streamed on ESPN+. QUICK KICKS. Illinois State is coming off a...

ISU Hosts its 3rd Band Competition with Bands all across the State

This past Thursday, bands from across the state battled out in the Battle of Bands competition. This event was held by Illinois State’s WZND radio station. Seven bands from across Illinois came together to compete. Elizabeth Zoerner, organizer of the event, says the goal of this event was to...

Morton Boys earn Class 2A State Runner-Up honors

Peoria, IL – The Morton High School boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams competed in the IHSA Class 2A State Finals on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Morton boys captured second place as a team, earning the title of Class 2A State Runner-Up....

Bloomington council hears call for hyperscale data center ban ahead of 2nd hearing on draft regulations

Less than a week out from the second and final scheduled public hearing on draft data center regulations, one resident is pointing to recent election results as a mandate for Bloomington city leaders to ban data center development. Adam Heenan was one of two speakers during public comment at the...